pmaddogs - someone did suggest that we make a frame around backer board out of wood that could be scribe cut to match the curves of the logs and then tile or whatever inside that frame. So far that is the best suggestion I have heard of and we may give that a try. I'll post pictures if we do and let you know how it goes. As you know, the log walls move so you can really only attach at the top or make adjustable attachments if you're actually attaching to the logs at the top and bottom which makes it even more complicated. I don't know, maybe other log home owners either don't put stoves on log walls or don't worry about it :) This post was edited by Shelbyjo on Sat, Jan 31, 15 at 13:51

I don't think it looks too green at all, but I know some poplar can be a little greenish. Since you have a good relationship with your cabinet maker, maybe you can make sure he avoids the greener pieces. Of course, if you'd really like something else, you just have to convince your DH that there is more to life than just poplar and he needs to branch out. :) As far as matching, can you put samples of all your materials together?

Thanks Patricia...paled grayed green sounds appealing-Ill look at those colors...as for cabinets-yes, theyll be installed directly on the log wall...we're blessed with an amazing cabinetmaker who is skilled in log home cabinet installation....we also have kiln dried logs-so they wont shrink/settle too much. Ill attach a pic (not a great one, but the only I could find at the moment) of the lower furing wall we had originally built for the lowers--then tore out-because that would have made a backsplash stick out several inches-a ledge--it would have looked weird, & would have pushed fridge & cabinets out too..eating up several inches of kitchen space. So, we took out the furing wall-moved the fridge outlet to the corner, literally, of the log wall & drywall (can see it in my 1st pic of original post-midway up the wall) & plumbing was able to come up through the floor instead of the wall-I conceded & instead of a wall switch am doing an air switch in counter for disposal-only thing left was switch for over sink light-which for convenience-I wanted near the sink-so we're doing a shallow mount light switch under the upper cabinet, to right of sink-unconventional I believe-but a good tradeoff in my mind. Our cabinetmaker is making the upper cabinet rails a little longer anyway for lights/outlets under the cabinets-so I think it will work out ok. I may need to always point out to guests where that switch is-but worth it in order to have a normal 4" granite backsplash on the log wall. The tile will cover the open areas on the drywall/range side--including behind the chimney hood. Sooo..thats the plan-its been one of those ongoing challenges that went on for quite some time-& we finally got everyomes input & solved the problem..yay! :) Now for the fun stuff :)

I would vent to the outside above the window but I am more of a function over form sort of person. Paint the vent to match the color of the house. A down draft vent was not going to cut it with our range and how we cook. We have log house. Our hood vents out the roof and is at the front of the house. No way around it. We painted the vent green to help it blend in a little better with the roof. We also have a satellite dish on the front of the house. Not thrilled about it but we had no other choice unless we wanted it on the roof at the front of the house which we did not. Our range is on an outside wall and cabinets cover the ductwork that goes up through the roof.